Chapter 247: Guerrilla General Li Ying Arrives
Chapter 247: Guerrilla General Li Ying Arrives
Li Daoxuan silently watched from the sky as the Gaojia Village Militia prepared for battle.
Cheng Xu had done well with the pre-battle arrangements. Li Daoxuan saw no need to intervene much and left it to him.
His attention should instead focus on the county seat—faster updates would come through Liang Shixian and Fang Wushang there.
He tapped the inscription “Chengcheng County” on the box. His view instantly shifted back to the county.
Just as he arrived, he witnessed an intriguing scene.
A Ming army unit was entering the town.
This force was sizable—a full thousand regular troops. They wore the Ming army’s signature cloth armor, many bearing small backward-curved bows.
Liang Shixian and Fang Wushang promptly went to greet them.
After listening to their exchange, Li Daoxuan learned the newcomer was “Guerrilla General Li Ying.”
The Guerrilla General position was a “miscellaneous-rank” military title—not formalized, without fixed rank, mostly a temporary appointment for emergencies.
Li Daoxuan needed only surface-level thought to guess this man was likely dispatched to handle the Guyuan mutiny.
Even without a fixed rank, his status hovered below Deputy General, roughly equivalent to “Subordinate Third Rank.” To Seventh Rank County Magistrate Liang Shixian and ninth-rank inspector Fang Wushang, he was a high-ranking officer.
Li Ying wore the arrogance of a senior official: “By Provincial Governor Hu’s order, I lead troops to crush the Guyuan rebels. Passing through Chengcheng County, we rest here tonight. Provide whatever fine food and drink you have. My thousand soldiers march to suppress bandits—don’t let them starve.”
Liang Shixian responded: “Three years of drought, plus Bai Shui Wang Er’s looting of our granaries, leaves Chengcheng County’s stores empty. I regret I cannot supply provisions.”
A flash of anger crossed Li Ying’s face.
Civil officials! A petty magistrate dares such insolence!
As he prepared to rage, Fang Wushang suddenly spoke: “General Li, this humble officer has a question. Pray enlighten me.”
Li Ying: “Ask.”
Fang Wushang said: “The Guyuan rebels move from Guyuan toward Xi’an. To engage them, you should head north via Jingyang or Fuping County. Why come to Chengcheng County? Are you avoiding battle? Leading your men on a meaningless tour to deceive the Provincial Governor?”
Li Ying exploded: “How dare you!”
Above, Li Daoxuan muttered, “Huh?” inwardly startled. This Fang Wushang is fierce! Truly a bold commander—to ask such a thing outright!
Liang Shixian shared the thought. As a civil official unfamiliar with strategy, he’d missed it initially. Fang Wushang’s words clarified everything—earning his silent praise. Brave, Inspector! If I’d noticed, I’d still weigh the risk before speaking.
Bold yet reckless!
Instantly, everyone present thought the same.
Li Ying’s face darkened—humiliated by a ninth-rank officer’s challenge and exposed by Fang Wushang’s accuracy.
His thousand troops looked imposing but were mere garrison soldiers—fine for bandit suppression but useless against border army rebels. Li Ying felt weak, wanting to dodge combat.
After receiving orders from Provincial Governor Hu Tingyan, he’d circled with his men—skirting Jingyang and Fuping—ending up in Chengcheng County.
This place avoided the rebels’ likely route but remained close enough to intervene if they weakened or faltered—perfect to advance or retreat.
His clever plan shattered when Fang Wushang named it. Fury followed.
“You lowly ninth-rank patrol officer! How dare you spew nonsense before me?” Li Ying roared. “What do you know of strategy, a minor inspector?”
Fang Wushang stiffened his neck. “Then I ask: Is your strategy to flee east when rebels appear strong? Advance west when they’re weak? Chengcheng County is convenient for both.”
Li Ying gripped his sword hilt. “Absurd! Who backs you?”
Fang Wushang remained defiant: “This humble officer answers only—”
Liang Shixian sensed danger.
Wrong—Li Ying’s tone is off.
Liang Shixian, knowledgeable in many matters, shifted into “social wisdom” mode—scanning Li Ying’s anger, the hand on his sword, the question’s peril. Like spinning lanterns, possibilities raced through his mind, clicking on one.
Li Ying is probing Fang Wushang’s connections! With no backing, he’ll execute him immediately.
This cascade of thought took an instant—before Fang Wushang finished his sentence.
Liang Shixian coughed sharply, cutting him off. He interjected: “Patrol Officer Fang is my friend. We attended lectures together at Donglin Academy. Its scholars deeply respect his prowess…”
Li Ying hissed, moving his hand from his sword.
Damn it! No wonder he’s so bold—a Donglin Party fanatic! Don’t provoke them. But how’d a minor inspector cling to that faction?
Reconsidering, he understood: Patrol Officer was a ninth-rank military role, yet embedded in the civilian system—it was complicated.
Li Ying snorted. Fine—this place is toxic. Two Donglin dogs… whatever I do could trigger impeachment suits.
“Bold, you two,” Li Ying sneered. He turned his horse. To his deputy, he said: “We leave. To crush rebels—no time wasted here. These fools’ blathering ruins my strategy.”
Watching, Li Daoxuan clicked his tongue in amazement. Fascinating! The unorthodox duo of Liang and Fang partnered once! Officialdom truly amazes.